Evolving Jefferson helps Spurs ground Rockets

When Richard Jefferson turned down $15.2 million to become a free agent this summer, most observers thought he was crazy. When he agreed to take a longer-term deal to return to a situation in San Antonio that at times last season seemed untenable, some thought he’d gone certifiable.

“I didn’t want to bail out and say I couldn’t do it,” Jefferson, 30-year-old small forward said Thursday, after the Spurs rallied to beat Houston 111-103 in their preseason finale.

And so Jefferson spent the summer following the most miserable season of his career working directly with coach Gregg Popovich, taking “thousands” of shots in an otherwise empty gym, aiming to prove that whatever he’s asked, he couldn’t say he couldn’t do it.

The fruits of that work have been on display throughout the preseason, if you knew where to look. Thursday, they practically slapped 15,356 fans at the AT&T Center in the face.

Saving his best preseason game for last, Jefferson hit 5 of 7 shots — including 3 of 4 3-pointers — for 16 points, as the Spurs overcame a deficit after three quarters to dump the Rockets.

The only 3-pointer Jefferson missed came at the end of the third quarter, when he fired up a 41-foot Hail Mary at the horn.

Popovich doesn’t expect Jefferson to be a 3-point demon in his second season in San Antonio. The other things Jefferson did Thursday, when every move meant something and every step seemed purposeful — Popovich believes these things can stick around when the regular season opens next week.

“He’s making quicker decisions and is stronger at the rim,” Popovich said. “He’s followed through on what he’s worked on all summer.”

With Popovich giving his starters something approaching a regular-season workload Thursday, the Spurs found much to be pleased about — though defense wasn’t one of them.

New starting center DeJuan Blair continued his preseason assault, finishing with 17 points — including 11 in the fourth — while Tony Parker added 16 points to atone for four first-quarter turnovers. Tim Duncan produced a 13-point, 10-rebound night.

The Spurs survived an early turnover-fueled barrage from Houston — gifting the Rockets a lead that got as high as 15 points — as well as 21 points from Kevin Martin.

Back-to-back old-school three-point plays from Matt Bonner and Blair gave the Spurs their first lead, 82-79, with 9:58 to go. By the end of the night, they had finished off their second consecutive 4-3 preseason.

“We still have a long way to go,” Manu Ginobili said. “We are not going to be playoff-ready the first month, but we’re going to build.”

In his second San Antonio season, Jefferson hopes to follow the same time-release game plan. For him, it’s all about comfort.

“In other places, playing a certain style, it was like the game was in slow motion,” said Jefferson, whose 12.3 points per game last season were considered a disappointment. “I knew where I was going to get my shots. I could roll out of bed and get 10, 12 points.

“Here it was like starting from zero.”

The Spurs aren’t asking much of Jefferson.

“We want him to be aggressive, not passive, and play good defense, stay in front of people and go to the boards,” Parker said, rattling off the laundry list Jefferson has heard a thousand times. “That’s all.”

After a season of trying to be all things to all people, Jefferson hopes this season to just be himself.

There’s no telling if this new and improved Jefferson will show up for Wednesday’s season-opener against Indiana. If his pride has anything to say about it, he will.

“There’s going to be ups and downs, some hot streaks and some not-so-hot streaks,” Jefferson said. “You’re ready for it, but there’s a lot of work to do.”